Wednesday, December 19, 2007

According to the information posted on the MP Ken Epp's website, the Unborn Victims Of Crime Act will have its second hour of debate on February 29, 2008. The vote is expected to take place on March 5.

That may sound like plenty of time, but this time better be used efficiently, to make sure that MPs in all 308 ridings receive enough requests from their constituents to support the Unborn Victims Of Crime Act. For those 4 ridings that currently don't have a sitting MP, we need to make sure that bill C-484 becomes a by-election issue.

A special diocesan Mass for the respect of human life will take place on December 28, Feast of the Holy Innocents. The Mass will be at 11 a.m. at St. Dunstan’s in Fredericton.

Fr. Paul LeBlanc, vice-chancellor, will represent Bishop Harris as the main celebrant. A reception will follow at the Mother and Child Welcome House, 562 Brunswick St.

Welcome House president Peter Ryan notes a diocesan Mass has taken place for the past several years year on this feast. “It’s a way of remembering the unborn innocents of our time, while praying for a turnaround in our society’s disregard for them.”

The Welcome House is located next to the abortion clinic in Fredericton.

“Life is such an incredible gift,” says Ryan. “It’s so sad how we are sometimes blind to this gift, and even treat it as a threat to be eliminated.”

At the upcoming Mass there will be a special blessing for expectant mothers. “This is a beautiful way of expressing our Church’s appreciation for maternity and new life,” Ryan says.

The Mass for life is a way of keeping the true spirit of Christmas alive, Ryan points out.